Show i MARRIAGE A REAL LOTTERY Wives Drawn by Pure Chance In Some Parts of Russia In some parts of a queer game Is still played which has much to do with the future lives of the par par- Some prominent person in inthe inthe inthe the village announces that the annual merry-making merry will be held at his hb house On the appointed day the young men and women hasten in huge excitement to the meeting place There are songs and games ana dances but they are simply a prelude to the more Important business of the day When the time comes the hostess leads all the girls into one room where they seat themselves on the benches Laughing and chattering they are each promptly muffled In sheets by the hostess The head and hair and figure are completely covered and when this is done the girls resemble resemble resemble re re- mummies The young men draw lots and one by one they enter the room where the muffled girls sit Helpless so so far as sight or touch goes the puzzled lover ver vertries tries to find his favorite Maybe she would help him if her eyes were not hidden but she is as helpless as he Finally he chooses one one and he may unveil her This is the critical moment and disappointment or rapture rapture rap rap- ture will be the result of seeing her face It is the law lawand and custom that the theman theman theman man shall marry th the girl he has picked picked pick pick- ed out and If either backs out a heavy forfeit must be paid It Is said that this matrimonial lottery is productive of Jf many happy marriages |